Double channel display holder,panels and frame



E; L. REIBOLD Dem 9, 1969 .D OUBLE CHANNEL DISPLAY HOLDER, PANELS AND FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1967 D.'-9. 1969 L, R OL- 3,482,347

DOUB LE CHANNEL DISPLAY HOLDER, PANELS AND FRAME Filed June 28, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .32 I199 Fz"9:]0

J72 venzor Elmer L. fiel'bold United States Patent 3,482,347 DOUBLE CHANNEL DISPLAY HOLDER, PANELS AND FRAME Elmer L. Reibold, 1020 Harrison St., Park Ridge, Ill. 60068 Filed June 28, 1967, Ser. No. 649,517 Int. Cl. G09f 7/06, 1/12; E04c 2/34 US. Cl. 40-443 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a double channel tubular member for holding display panels in parallel spaced apart relationship. The invention may serve simultaneously as a decorative sheath to cover structural bar members of a store fixture it suitable for showroom display use and to convert the fixture into a double panel display unit enabling use of two sides on which to display merchandise.

There are a number of fixtures commonly used by stores, such as gondolas which consist of a bottom storage shelf or bin, an upright structural bar member at each end and a connecting horizontal bar at the top. They are primarily useful for storage and are somewhat unsightly due to the exposed structural bar members which are usually of steel, plain in appearance, with bolt heads showing as well as protruding slightly. The usefulness of these common store fixtures can be enhanced greatly by this invention, which provides a tubular member of lighter decorative material, such as aluminum or plastic, for example, to serve as a decorative sheath covering the structural bars making the fixture attractive enough for showroom display utilization. At the same time, the channels extending along each side of the tubular member are adapted to receive and hold double display panels so articles may be displayed from both sides of the fixture in a neat and orderly fashion, with packaged units for sale stored on the bottom shelf which was the only original function of the fixture. Without display panels arranged on the fixture itself, display articles would have to be placed on a separate table, shelves or other fixtures placed in front of or near the storage gondola requiring more space and presenting a cluttered appearance.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a tubular member having a channel on each side, the tubular member serving as a decorative sheath for structural bars of a conventional store fixture and the channels serving to hold display panels, of pegboard for example, in parallel spaced apart relation adapted to permit use of both sides of the fixture for display purposes.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tubular member of relatively lightweight decorative material having a channel formed integrally and continuously along each side to slidably receive the edge of a display panel, the integrally formed continuous channels serving also as re-inforcing side flanges to impart rigidity to the tubular member enabling use as a structural bar itself in a display fixture or stand.

It is another object of the invention to provide a tubular member having continuous side channels for receiving the edges of panels in parallel spaced apart relationice ship, which is adapted for use in forming a frame around said panels.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a tubular member having continuous side channels to slidably receive and hold display panels freely in parallel spaced apart relationship without the requirement of fastening means attached to the panels to hold them in place, so they may be freely inserted and removed.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a unitary appearing double panel structure having the otherwise visible space between two spaced apart parallel panels enclosed along the edges, the panels being held close enough together to appear outwardly as a unitary panel but spaced far enough apart to concealingly receive the hooks of display racks inserted through pegboard holes from the opposite outward sides of each panel.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a unitary appearing double panel structure with pegboard panels or other panels having openings therein, having a decorative covering or fabric or other perforatable material over the exterior side of the panels to conceal the holes from ordinary view but adapted to permit insertion of display rack hooks in such holes by passing the hooks through said fabric.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a unitary appearing closable double panel structure having a concealed space between two parallel spaced apart panels to receive and conceal the electrical cords and other unsightly parts of appliances and merchandise displayed on the exterior side of such panels.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a unitary appearing double panel structure having electrical outlets and electric lights mounted in the concealed space between the panels to permit operation and demonstration of electrical appliances displayed on the panels and to provide back lighting for transparent, translucent or open portions disposed in the panels.

These and other objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the detailed description which follows and the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is an elevation view of a frame, partially cut away, made fro-m tubular members having continu-, ous side channels according to this invention, covering three edges of a pegboard panel held therein, and mounted on a conventional store fixture showing its structural bar members partially exposed.

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a tubular member having continuous channels along each side according to this invention.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of an open end of a tubular member having continuous channels along each side according to this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a double panel structure made according to this invention showing a partially cut-away fabric covering over the exterior side of a pegboard panel to conceal the holes from ordinary view.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of an open end of a modified form of this invention showing a tubular member having continuous channels along each side and with the wall of the tubular member including opposed longitudinal continuous ribs to hold a structural bar member therein.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of an open end of another modified form of this invention, constructed to receive a bar member in the central cavity transversely from one direction and to receive a pair of parallel space-apart panels in the side channels transversely from the opposite direction.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a double panel display unit according to this invention, showing tubular members forming a frame and panels held therein, one panel being covered with a decorative translucent material and partially cut away to illustrate an electric light fixture and electrical outlets mounted in the enclosed space between the panels.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of an open end of another modified form of this invention, having the central cavity of the tubular member sufficiently bounded by the wall portion to retain a bar inserted in the cavity against transverse movement out of the cavity.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of an open end of another modified form of this invention having the central cavity completely surrounded by the wall portion.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIGURE 1 illustrates a conventional store fixture 1 having a bottom shelf 2, upright structural bars 3 and a horizontal structural bar 4, with a double channel tubular members 5 according to this invention mounted on the upright and horizontal bars receiving the two side edges and the top edge of a pegboard panel 6 held in a continuous side channel 7 of each tubular member 5 with the bottom edge of the panel resting on the bottom shelf 2.

The tubular members 5 include a wall portion 8 defining a central cavity 9 having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to that of a structural bar to be received therein, and being of slightly larger crosssectional dimension than the structural bar to accommodate any protruding bolt heads.

. The wall portion 8 may extend completely around the central cavity 9, but preferably extends only partially around the central cavity leaving a longitudinal gap 10 extending through the length of the tubular member 5. This gap 10 may be wide enough to permit a structural bar to pass through transversely, or it may be narrow enough to restrain transverse movement of the tubular member 5 relative to a structural bar received in the cavity 9.

In the preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional configuration of which is illustrated in FIGURE 4, the wall portion includes two parallel fiat sides 11 on opposite boundaries of the cavity 9, joined along one longitudinal edge by a third side 12. The free longitudinal edges 13 of the flat sides 11 may extend slightly beyond the respective bordering walls of a structural bar on which the tubular member is to be mounted, and a continuous retaining rib 14 may be formed on the interior of each flat side 11 adjacent the free longitudinal edges 13 as shown in the modification ofFIGURE 6. The tubular member 5 may then be mounted on an upright structural bar 3 by positioning the bar along side the cavity and moving the tubular member 5 transversely on to the bar 3 until it has been completely received in the cavity 9 and the retaining ribs 14 retainingly bear against a portion of the structural bar wall which faces the longitudinal gap 10.

The retaining rib 14 is formed with a longitudinal flat face 15 extending laterally and inwardly from the flat side 11 at a point back from the free longitudinal edge 13. The retaining rib 14 includes a tapered side 17 extending from the inward edge of the fiat face 15 to the free longitudinal edge 13 of the fiat side 11. As the tubular member 5 is moved transversely on to the bar 3, the said bar engages the tapered sides 17 of the ribs 14 and forces the fiat sides 11 slightly apart. When the bar 3 is completely received in the cavity 9, the tapered sides 17 of the ribs extend slightly beyond the bar 3 permitting the fiat sides 11 to spring back toward each other with the flat faces 15 of the ribs thus being positioned in retaining relationship with the bar 3.

If it is desired to remove the tubular member 5 from the bar 3, the fiat sides 11 may be spread apart at their free longitudinal edges 13 to permit the ribs 14 to become disengaged and pass the sides of the bar 3.

The tubular member 5 may be held in position on a structural bar by other well-known conventional means, such as by bolts or screws.

Continuous side channels 7 are formed longitudinally 1; 1' y along opposite sides of the tubular member 5. Each channel includes a longitudinal slot 18 throughout its length, adapted to slidingly but snugly receive an edge of a panel, such as pegboard panel 6. The side channels are preferably formed integrally with the wall portion 8 of the tubular member, and serve as reinforcing members to impart rigidity to the tubular member. .In this manner, the double channel tubular member 5 has sufficient rigidity to serve as a structural bar itself even though made of light metal such as aluminum or other light material such as plastic.

The preferred construction is of aluminum, which may be conveniently extruded to form the double channel tubular member according to this invention.

Each pair of side channels are longitudinally open towards the same direction and are spaced apart slightly more than the distance the hooks 19 of a display rack 20 would protrude behind a pegboard panel in which the display rack was mounted. Thus when the edge of a panel is received in each side channel, the two panels are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to receive the hooks protruding from either panel in the space 21 between.

Electrical appliances 22 such as light fixtures, radios and various other household appliances having electrical cords 23 may be conveniently displayed and demonstrated on a double panel structure made according to this invention. The electrical cords 23 are run through an opening 24 in a panel 25, and are concealed in the space 21 between the two panels. Electrical outlets 26 may be concealingly mounted on the interior of the wall portion 8 of the tubular member or on the interior side of the panels, or at some other interior location between the panels, and connected to an electrical source. Electrical appliances displayed on the exterior side of each panel 25 may thus have their cords concealed and connected to the concealed outlets 26 within the space 21 between the two panels, so the appliances may be operated and demonstrated without being removed from the panels.

An electric light fixture 27 and bulb 28 may also be mounted on the interior of the wall portion 8, or other interior location between the panels. The panels 25 may include openings of various shapes and sizes, to receive for example a transparent or translucent plate 29 bearing the name of a manufacturere or trademark of the goods displayed, for back lighting by the light fixture 27 and bulb 28. The pegboard or other display panels may include a decorative fabric covering 30 to conceal the holes from ordinary view. The light fixture 27 and bulb 28 mounted in the space 21 between the panels may be turned on to illuminate the pegboard holes for conveniently locating them behind the fabric covering when it is desired to insert the hooks of a display rack for mounting on the panel. Decorative design openings 31 may also be cut into the panels 25 which are concealed by the fabric covering 30 but which reveal the decorative design when back-lighted by the light fixture 27 and bulb 28. A plurality of such light fixtures and bulbs may be mounted in the interior space 21 to provide the degree of light desired.

To convert a conventional store fixture such as a storage gondola into a double panel display structure according to this invention, two double channel tubular members 5 are selected corresponding to the length, width and cross-sectional configuration of the two upright structural bars 3 and one such tubular member corresponding to the length, width and cross-sectional configuration of the horizontal bar 4. The tubular members may be mitered to form mitre joints at the junctures between the horizontal and upright members.

The double channel tubular members are first mounted on the two respective upright bars 3, with the respective longitudinal slots 18 on both sides of each member in opposed facing relationship. A pegboard panel 6 is then The bottom edge of the panel 6 is then alined at the top with the longitudinal slots 18 in two opposed channels 7, and is slidingly received in the slots until the bottom edge of the panel 6 rests on the bottom shelf 2 of the store fixture. A second panel 6 is likewise inserted in the slots 18 on the other side of the vertically mounted tubular members 5. In the modification of this invention wherein the tubular member 5 includes retaining ribs 14, the tubular members are mounted on the upright bars 3 by merely snapping in place. That is, the cavity 9 of the tubular member is positioned adjacent the upright bar 3 and the tubular member 5 is then moved transversely on the bar 3, the tapered side 17 of each rib on the interior of each opposed fiat side 11 pushing the fiat sides of the tubular member aside under tension until the bar 3 has been completely received in the cavity 9. The tapered sides 17 have then passed the edge of the bar 3, permitting the tensionally spread fiat sides 11 to snap back into their original parallel relationship, and the flat faces 15 of each retaining rib thereupon slide into retaining relationship with the bar 3.

After tubular members have been mounted in place on the upright bars 3 and the panels inserted, the third tubular member is similarly mounted on the horizontal bar 4, receiving the bar 4 in the cavity 9 of the tubular member and the top edge of each side panel in the slots 18 of the channels 7 extending longitudinally along each side of the tubular member. A conventional store fixture is thus converted into a unitary appearing double panel structure having a concealed space between two parallel spaced apart panels, and having a decorative sheath covering the structural bars.

When it is desired to remove one of the tubular members to take out a panel or gain access to the concealed space 21, in the modification having retaining ribs 14 holding the tubular member in place on the structural bar, it is merely necessary to grasp the channels 7 at each side and spread them apart slightly until the flat faces 15 of each rib is out of engagement with the structural bar whereupon the tubular member may be moved transversely away from the structural bar. The panels may then be removed merely by sliding, since they are not held by any fastening means but rest freely within the channels 7. In this modification of the invention, no tools of any kind are required even to mount the tubular members 5 on the structural bars and to remove them there from.

The tubular members may, of course, be mounted on the structural bars in other ways, including by means of bolts or screws, or the wall portion 8 may surround the cavity 9 for a sufiicient distance to retain the structural bar in said cavity. In this latter case, the tubular member would be mounted by sliding it longitudinally on the structural bar from one end. This, of course, necessitates disassembling the upright bars 3 from the horizontal bar 4.

The double channel tubular members 5 may also be used without internally disposed supporting structural bars, since the continuous integral channels 7 formed longitudinally on each side serve in the manner of reinforcing flanges to impart sufiicient rigidity to the tubular member enabling its use as an independent supporting member. The channels 7 thus serve a dual purpose in accordance with this invention, namely, reinforcement of the tubular member and retention of a pair of panels in parallel spaced-apart relationship.

The double channel tubular members 5 may also be adapted for mounting on the edge of a Wall or partition. When mounting on the edge of a partition wall, such as for example one of relatively thin plywood, or hardboard construction, the longitudinal slot 18 in one of the channels 7 may be formed wide enough to receive the edge of such wall. The longitudinal slot 18 in the other channel 7 on the other side of the same tubular member 5 may be of the same width or may be of lesser or greater width to snugly receive the edge of another panel to convert a single panel partition wall into a double panel construction.

Alternatively, the edge of the wall may be received in the central cavity 9 of the tubular member 5, and panels may then be received in the slots 18 of each side channel 7.

The channels 7 may have the longitudinal slots 18 formed on the same side of the tubular member as the longitudinal gap 10 in the wall portion 8 for transverse reception therethrough into the channels 7 and central cavity 9 from the same direction. Alternatively, the longitudinal slots 18 may be formed in the channels 7 on the side of the tubular member opposite that in which the longitudinal gap 10 is formed as shown by modified tubular member 5a, whereby panels are received in the :hannels 7 from one direction and a structural bar is received in the central cavity 9 from the opposite direction. This arrangement permits mounting the tubular member St: on a structural bar which extends upward along a wall with one side of the bar in touching relationship with the wall. The slots 18 in the channels 7 then face outwardly from the wall for reception of panel edges to hold in parallel spaced-apart relation.

The exterior of the wall portion 8 of the double channel tubular member 5 preferably has a decorative finish and decorative design such as fluted lines 32. The preferred material from which the tubular members 5 are constructed is aluminum, although other metals, plastic or wood may be used.

It is to be understood that the particular forms of the invention described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are preferred embodiments, and that various changes in the shape, size, materials and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the attached claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A double panel tubular member for holding display panels in spaced-apart relationship, comprising a wall portion, a central cavity defined by said wall portion, a pair of channels positioned exteriorly in parallel relationship on opposite sides of said wall portion and extending longitudinally thereof, said channels each including a longitudinal slot adapted to slidingly receive an edge of a panel for freely holding in parallel spaced-apart relationship with a panel similarly received and held by the other channel, wherein said cavity is adapted to slidably receive a structural bar member, the cross-sectional configuration of said cavity corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of that part of said bar member received in said cavity, and including retaining means for holding said tubular member in position on said bar member.

2. A double channel tubular member as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wall portion includes a gap through its longitudinal extent of sufficient width to permit transverse movement of said structural bar through said gap, and wherein said retaining means includes a projection extending inwardly on each side of the interior of said wall portion adjacent said gap, said projections being adapted to contact the wall of a structural bar being moved transversely into said central cavity through said gap to thereby spread said wall portion apart slightly under tension until the bar is completely received in said cavity whereupon said wall portion snaps back to its original position moving said projections across a part of said gap to retain said bar in said cavity thereby holding said tubular member in position on said bar.

3. A double channel tubular member as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wall portion includes a gap through its longitudinal extent of suflicient width to permit transverse movement of said structural bar through said gap, and wherein said retaining means includes a longitudinal rib on each side of the interior of said wall portion adjacent said gap, each of said ribs including a tapered side extending inwardly of said wall portion from the edge bordering said gap and a fiat face extending laterally inward from said wall portion to join the innermost end of said tapered side, said tapered side of each of said ribs being adapted to contact the wall of a structural bar being moved transversely into said central cavity through said gap to thereby spread said wall portion apart slightly under tension until the bar is completely received in said cavity whereupon said wall portion snaps back to its original position moving said flat face of each longitudinal rib across a part of said gap to retain said bar in said cavity thereby holding said tubular member in position on said bar.

4. A double channel tubular member as set forth in claim 1, wherein said member is of extrudable material, said member is formed by extrusion and includes a decorative design extruded on the exterior of said wall portion.

5. A double panel display unit comprising a store fixture having a bottom shelf, two upright bars mounted thereon at opposite ends, a horizontal bar joining said upright bars at the top, tubular members removably mounted in joined relationship on said upright and horizontal bars, said tubular members each including a pair of side channels positioned in parallel relationship on opposite sides and extending longitudinally of said tubular members, said channels each including a longitudinal slot adapted to slidingly receive an edge of a panel for holding in parallel spaced-apart relationship with a panel similarly received and held by the other channel in said pair, the pair of side channels of said tubular member mounted on one of said upright bars having their respective slots facing the corresponding slots of said side channels of said tubular member mounted on the other of said upright bars, the pair of side channels of said tubular member mounted on said horizontal bar having their respective slots joining at each end the corresponding slots of said channels of said tubular members mounted on said upright bars, a first display panel with its two side edges and top edge slidingly received and freely held in the channels on one side of said tubular members, a second display panel with its two side edges and top edge slidingly received and freely held in the channels on the other side of said tubular members in parallel spaced apart relationship Withsaid first display panel, the fourth and bottom edges of said panels resting on said shelf, the outward facing side of said double channel tubular members being imperforate to form a solid frame around the two side edges and the top edge of said parallel spaced-apart panels, and a concealed space between said panels adapted to receive and conceal parts protruding from the back of said panels of display devices mounted on the front of said panels.

6. A double panel display unit as set forth in claim 5, wherein one of said panels is pegboard, including a decorative covering over the exterior side of said pegboard panel to conceal the holes in said pegboard from ordinary view, said decorative covering being adapted to permit passage therethrough of the hooks of display devices to be mounted through the holes of said pegboard,

and locating means to locate said holes concealed by said decorative covering when it is desired to insert the books of display devices therein.

7. A double panel display unit as set forth in claim 6,

wherein said decorative covering is translucent and wherein said locating means comprises electric lighting means mounted within said concealed space between said panels for connection to an electrical source, said electric lighting means being adapted to illuminate the interior of said concealed space when desiredto make the otherwise concealed pegboard holes exteriorly visible through said translucent decorative covering.

8. A double panel display unit comprising a base, a first double channel tubular member mounted upright thereon at one end, a second double channel tubular member mounted upright on said base at its other end, a third double channel tubular member positioned horizontally and joining said first and second members at the top, said double channel tubular members comprising a wall portion and a pair of channels formed integrally with and extending longitudinally of said wall portion on opposite sides thereof. said channels including longitudinal slots through one side, said slots on each side of said pair of channels on said first, second and third members lying in parallel spaced-apart planes to slidingly receive the two side edges and top edge of a pair of display panels'and to freely hold said pair of display panels in parallel spacedapart relationship, the bottom edges of said pair of display panels resting on said base, and an enclosed space between said panels having a width sufficient to receive and conceal in said space parts protruding from the back of said panels of display devices mounted on the front of said panels, said width being no greater than the widest cross-sectional dimension of said wall portion of said tubular member to give said double panel display unit the external appearance of a unitary panel having a solid imperforate edge therearound but with both sides useable for mounting devices thereon for display without parts which protrude rearwardly through the panel being visible.

9. A double panel display unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein one of said panels in said pair of panels includes at least one opening therethrough, including a translucent decorative perforatable covering on said panel across said opening, electric lighting means mounted within said enclosed space between said panels for connection to an electrical source and adapted to illuminate the interior of said enclosed space and said translucent covering, and electrical outlets mounted within said enclosed space for connection to an electrical source and to electrical appliances mounted on said double panel display unit whose electrical cords extend into said enclosed space for connection to said electrical outlets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1952 Drake 52 -616 2/1965 Moss et al. 526l6 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,110,704 10/1955 France.

US. Cl. X.R. 

